Postcards From the Past

Since I did a segment on Hauntcast about Hallowe'en postcards, I thought I'd share a few images of postcards from my collection.

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular

Jack-O-Lantern Spectacular
Originally uploaded by Monkey Head Photography

Couldn't download and share this, but had to get it to you , anyway.

I absolutely love the huge pumpkin in the background, eating the little ones-or, maybe, she is birthing them? In any case, this is great work!

Jack O

Jack o lantern
Originally uploaded by William Richardson

Beautiful shot!

Hauntcast at Transworld

It's official! The entire Scream Team will be assembling at Transworld this March! It was up in the air for a bit because of my home budget, but that hurdle has been overcome and it's smooth sailing all the way to St. Louis.

If you're going to Transworld, please stop by the Hauntcast booth and say, "hi." You can hear Johnny Thunder's laugh in person, too! What could be better?

It's Up!

The latest and greatest episode is now up! Seriously, it's really good.

Click on the pic to head over and subscribe, or members can sign in and go to the member page to download the episode. (Hint: Randy Bates!)

Hallowe'en Envy

Halloween 2010
Originally uploaded by matthewkirscht

I would LOVE to have this collection of vintage Hallowe'en goodies!

80's Horror

I caught this one the other day. It had been a very long time since I had seen it. I still love the cheesy 80's soundtrack!

Click on the pic to watch.

The Return of Matt and Wes

Fabulous fiends, the Bloodshed Brothers have been working on this delightful horror/comedy series on YouTube. Click the pic to watch, and then hit, "Play All."

Linguistics Alert!

Via Garage of Evil, I have found a new way to expand my mind by learning a new language. Just think about all those new studies coming out, saying that if you continue to learn new things, you will slow down the onset of senility!

Yes, I will learn how to speak Zombie, and stave off the ever-present threat of mind-decay...

People may argue that it's not a real language, but we know better, don't we?

Unmask! Unmask!

Image by Network Shadow

Image by OAbnormal

Image by shiro_ko

Image by tallkev

Image by Erik Harmon

Haunters Video Awards Reminder

Just a quick reminder to all about the Haunters Video Awards.

Please submit your videos of your haunts, regardless of how good you think they are. This is a collection of videos that you will not see anywhere else, but there have to be videos submitted in order to have a collection! (Duh!)

If you can, please take a minute to spread the word on your blogs or on the boards to get the word out.

These need to be submitted by January 31, so let's get cracking, folks!

Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride On Hauntcast!

For those of you who are unaware of Hauntcast's amazing connections (;o)) in the Haunt Community, you are officially on notice! I am so excited that Chris Baker had an interview with Randy Bates from the East Coast's own Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride for this month's episode of Hauntcast. As our very own Johnny Thunder was an actor there this past Season, I'm really looking forward to the behind-the-scenes scoop.

Click on the pic to see the Travel Channel segment on the Bates Motel and Haunted Hayride.

Life Cast

The third Saturday of every month is the day for the CalHaunts make-n-take. Because of being completely slammed last year (starting up a business, getting my work into a museum, etc.), I hadn't been able to go play with my club buddies, so I was really excited when I could make it and do the build this time.

I especially was happy to catch up with folks and get a very nice crop of hugs, too. This past Saturday was a particularly fun make-n-take, since we got to do some life-casting.  The Speedo can, it turns out, was not necessary for the build, since teacher Ed Martinez had some nice skull caps to use. I wish I had thought to take off the Speedo cap before the casting, as it was so tight it gave me a huge headache, and I couldn't take it off once we started because I would have ruined the mold.

Chris Ape was on hand to help. Pictured here with friend Cory.



Ape stayed out of the way because he didn't want any silicone in his fur, and who can blame him?Friend Stacy and I were each other's modeling partners, and she did a fantastic job. After lubing my face, eyebrows and eyelashes liberally with petroleum jelly, she started  the process. Robert of Mantooth Manor and Perfessor Evil ran around and lent deft hands wherever needed. Robert had already taken on the lion's share of the work by organizing this particular make-n-take, and boy, did it run smoothly!

Some folks are lucky to have a significant other who loves haunting as much as they do. Oh, and who also comes with his own body bag!

CalHaunter Scott, who is too sexy for his bag!

So, after three coats of the silicone stuff, plaster bandages are applied on the outside, so the mold is protected. Do I need to mention that it's not allowed to cover up people's nostrils during this procedure?

 After everything has cured, it's time to get the mold separated from the face. The model blows through the mouth and puffs up his or her cheeks to get the stuff started in that direction. Below is the "Holy crap, that hurts!" look, as some of my eyebrows and eyelashes came out in the mold, in spite of the huge slathering of petroleum jelly.

Peek-a-Boo! After an hour or so under the silicone, I was free! I really would have to warn anyone who is claustrophobic NOT to attempt a life cast of their faces. While I don't suffer from that malady, it was a very isolating experience, even for me. I was more than ready to get the whole thing off!

Next, it was my turn to help Stacy out. 

Below, Robert is helping in his own special way... 

In the end, I had a really good casting to work with. Today or tomorrow, I'll get the plaster cast done and share it with you!



I did a little looking around and found this book on makeup effects, in case you're interested. While I haven't read it as of yet (because I have at least thirty books to read before I can even think about getting to this one...) it looks like it had some good reviews. One thing I would tell you as a safety tip is DO NOT attempt to put plaster over someone's face in order to take a life cast. Plaster has an exothermic reaction while it's setting, and that means it is really hot as it's going through its process, which could burn your model's face. Be smart, people!

Preview

It's My Face!

You really have to make this year the year you found or join a haunt club. You really do!

Today I'm heading off to Hayward (a two hour drive, might I add) so I can get a silicone life cast done of my face. Why my face? Am I that vain, that I want to have my face all over my haunt this year?

No. Everyone I know are parents who have activities with their kids this weekend. If I want to do a Madame Leota effect, it's my face or nothing. And I really want to add one this year.

Hopefully, I'll be able to post pictures. Have a great weekend!

It's Happening Again

It's happening again. The seed catalogues are starting to trickle in. With the sting of disappointing crop production rapidly fading as the days slowly lengthen, optimism begins to bloom.

Could it happen? Could I actually get a good crop of pumpkins this year?Dreams of the huge Wyatt's Wonder dance through my head. Is it imagination, or are those dreams dancing with mockery? They could be.

And yet, I still dream.

I learned my lesson last year. I really did! Row covers need to be purchased to protect my guys from sunburn. Slug bait or copper tape needs to protect their tender buds.

I am smarter than the slugs. I can defend against the sun.

Maybe this year...

The Prescence is With Us...

Click to watch...

Seeing 'Crows



Image by Diana Price



Image by Purple Monkey Feet



Image by allhallowsghost



Image by SGade





And the Winners Are... Envelope, Please?

The t-shirt and one-year subscription go to:

Mr. Chicken!

One-year subscription to:

AmFatallyYours!

Pumpkin pot to:

JD!

Thanks for all the entries, folks! Will the winners please contact me with their information? Mr. Chicken, I will call Chris to get you a large t shirt, as the others left are 4XL. I will make arrangements for you to get your prizes.

shellhawksnest@yahoo.com

Congratulations!

Oh, Gee-

I have some things to do this morning. I guess I won't do the drawing until around 3:00PST. Might be room for a few more entrants...

One Last Giveaway Reminder

One last reminder for folks that I have changed the end date for this giveaway to tomorrow. I have also come up with a genius suggestion for all of you.

Even if you already have a subscription to Hauntcast, I'd suggest you enter. If you do win, you can make arrangements with us to give away your subscription as a gift to another haunter you know.

Maybe someone in your haunt club is having a tough time and can't even pay for build materials, but really loves the holiday. Or maybe that cheap f*****r who says that $12 a year is just too much to pay for thirty hours a year of haunted yumminess and he makes it a point of honor to never pay anyone for anything. You can give it to him with a smile, and bask in your generosity and moral superiority at the same time.

As a matter of fact, I think that gift subscriptions are a great idea and a great way to support the show, but hey, that's just me.

Oh, and one of my handmade pumpkins is third prize, too, so if you've ever wanted one, now's a great time. You can also head to my Etsy store to see both my Halloween items and a few of the other kinds of pottery I do.

Once again, good luck, y'all!

Halloween Overload

You've probably already seen this on a couple of other blogs, but just in case, I wanted to make you aware of a new website out there: Halloween Overload!

Halloween Overload is essentially a Craigslist for haunters. If you're looking for a change in your haunt, you can trade, buy or sell your props on the site and at least have a possibility of getting your materials cost back. Looking at all the pretty pictures might inspire you, too!

Here's another great resource for haunters to take advantage of, so go for it!

Getting in the Mood For Hallowe'en

As I was doing some research for my Charmed Pot segment for the upcoming episode of Hauntcast, I popped in one of my favorite Halloween movies, Sleepy Hollow. I hadn't seen it for a bit, so it was fun to watch it, even with one eye on my computer as I was compiling some notes.

Because I'm a bit of a movie geek, I had to watch the "Making of" featurette, as I couldn't remember having done so, before. Click on the pic to watch, and hit, "Play All."

I hope it inspires you in your prop building, as much as it inspires me!

Giveaway Update

Since I'm about to start school again, I decided to change the contest end date to this coming Wednesday. So if you haven't gotten around to reading the rules on the original post, do it now!

I'm giving away two subscriptions to Hauntcast, plus one of my Jack-o-lantern pots, so get on the stick and enter now!

Lest I forget my manners, thanks to all of you who have subscribed and supported the show all along! You're why we do the show!

Good luck.

P.S. See Chris's plea for Hauntcast here.

The Betrayal

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyy back in 2010, I had a piece on display as part of a show at The Crocker Art Museum. I have to say, there were a lot of really great pieces in all different media there. Hubby came along with me for the closing reception, and for the second time, saw and fell in love with this painting:


"The Betrayal," by Victoria Walters

I have to admit, I loved it both the first time and the second time, too. The expression on the woman's face is captured with sensitivity and grace and the softness of her body is beautifully contrasted by the wood it's painted on.

When Mr. ShellHawk said "Find out who the artist is and how much she wants for it," it was a pretty easy sell. It helped that he said the model looked like me. (I mentally added, "Yeah. About 25 pounds ago!")

I'd heard about Victoria Walters when I was hanging around my school clay buddies, but since I pretty much had to go to school and come home immediately because of The Dog's injury, I hadn't had time to track her down and schmooze with her.

I was glad when I finally got to meet her at the reception. Victoria is one of those young women who should have "Going Places" tattooed on her forehead. She is very talented and very active with the Fine Arts Club at the college, and clearly loves art with every fiber of her body and soul.

We bought the piece, but have still not agreed on a permanent place for it as of yet. We do have a few ideas, and are blessed with tall ceilings so this can be displayed properly. We're also talking about rearranging another wall so that it can hang there. Meanwhile, it's leaning in a niche by the fireplace, waiting for its permanent home.

Thanks, Victoria! I can't wait to see what you paint next.